Introduction AS 22 Accounting for Taxes on Income

Accounting Standard 22 has been prescribed by ICAI to be applied in accounting for taxes on income. This AS is applied to match the differences between accounting income and taxable income.

I. Accounting income is the net profit before tax for a period, as reported in profit and loss statement

II. Taxable income is the income on which income tax is payable, computed by applying provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961 & Rules

Why will difference appear

There can be differences between accounting income and taxable income because of the following few reasons :

Expenses debited in profit and loss statement but disallowed as per Income-Tax Act 1961 while computing taxable income

Provision for Bad/doubtful debts allowed while computing accounting income but disallowed while computing taxable income

Charging depreciation using different rates as per Companies Act 2013 and Income Tax Act 1961

Any income recognized on accrual basis in profit and loss statement but recognized on receipt basis in subsequent period for computing taxable income

In order to mitigate these kinds of differences, AS 22 needs to be applied.

The differences can be of two types:

1. Timing difference: Timing differences are those differences between accounting income and taxable income which can be reversed in one or more subsequent periods. For example, Depreciation allowed as per WDV method for computing taxable income and as per SLM method for computing accounting income.

2. Permanent difference: Permanent differences are those differences between accounting income and taxable income which cannot be reversed any subsequent period. For example, Donation paid in cash is disallowed in computing taxable income whereas it is allowed as expenditure while computing accounting income.

When to apply AS 22 Accounting for Taxes on Income

AS 22 needs to be applied when there is the difference between taxable income and accounting income. If taxable income is greater than accounting income then it will result in deferred tax asset and if accounting income is greater than taxable income then it will result in deferred tax liability.

When the difference is resulting in deferred tax asset then it should be recognized only when there is a reasonable certainty of its realization. The recognition of deferred tax asset should be to the extent of the reasonable certainty of the expected realization. The reasonable certainty can be determined by making the realistic estimates of future profits based on the examination of profits and loss statement of earlier periods.

When an entity has unabsorbed depreciation or carry forward of losses then in such a case deferred tax asset should be recognized to the extent there is a virtual certainty supported by convincing evidence. Virtual certainty is a matter of judgment of convincing evidence, which should be available in a concrete form at a particular date.

How to apply AS 22 Accounting for Taxes on Income

The application of AS 22 can be explained with the help of examples:

Example of timing difference:

Particulars

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Profit before tax (A)

100,000

200,000

180,000

Depreciation as per Companies Act (B)

-25,000

-25,000

-25,000

Accounting income (A-B)

75,000

175,000

125,000

Depreciation as per Income tax Act (C)

-50,000

0

-10,000

Taxable income (A-C)

50,000

200,000

170,000

Current tax @ 30%

-15,000

-60,000

-51,000

Deferred tax

-7,500

7,500

4,500

Total tax expense

-22,500

-52,500

-46,500

Profit after tax

52,500

122,500

78,500

Deferred tax computation

Particulars

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Opening balance of timing difference

0

25,000

0

Addition

25,000

0

15,000

Deletion

0

25,000

0

Closing balance of timing difference

25,000

0

15,000

Deferred tax @ 30%

7,500

7,500

4,500

DTA/DTL

Creation of DTL

Reversal of DTL

Creation of DTA

Journal Entry

P&L A/c Dr. To DTL

DTL Dr. To P&L A/c

DTA Dr. To P&L A/c

Comparison between AS 22 and IND AS 12

Basis

AS 22 Accounting for Taxes on Income

IND AS 12 (Income taxes)

Recognition

AS 22 recognized tax effect of differences between taxable income and accounting income.

IND AS 12 recognized tax effect of differences between assets and/or liabilities and their tax base.

Approach

AS 22 is based on profit or loss statement approach.

IND AS 12 is based on balance sheet approach.

Differences

The types of differences on which AS 22 is applied are timing differences and permanent differences.

The types of differences on which IND AS 12 is applied are taxable temporary differences and deductible temporary differences. Permanent differences are not dealt in by this standard.

Recognition of Deferred tax asset/deductible temporary differences

DTA is recognized only when and to the extent there is a reasonable certainty of its realization

Deductible temporary differences are recognized to the extent of the probability of taxable profits in future periods.

Disclosure

AS 22 deals with the disclosure of DTA/DTL in the balance sheet.

IND AS 12 deals with the recognition of current or deferred tax as income or expense in profit and loss statement. It also deals with the disclosure of out of profit and loss transaction in the balance sheet as current or non-current assets/liability.

Revaluation of assets

AS 22 does not cover the difference arising between taxable income and accounting income due to the revaluation of assets.

IND AS 12 deals with the difference between carrying the amount of revalued asset and its tax base.

Goodwill

AS 22 does not cover the difference arising due to goodwill arising a business combination.

As per IND AS 12, the difference between carrying the amount of goodwill and its tax base (which will be NIL) is the taxable temporary difference. It does not allow the recognition of such difference because goodwill is measured as a residual and its recognition would increase the carrying amount of goodwill.

The concept of virtual certainty

When an entity has unabsorbed depreciation or carry forward of losses then in such a case deferred tax asset should be to the extent there is a virtual certainty supported by convincing evidence.

There is no concept of virtual certainty in IND AS 12. Deductible temporary differences are recognized to the extent of the probability of taxable profits in future periods.

Tax holiday

AS 22 specifically provides guidance regarding recognition of deferred tax in the situations of Tax Holiday under Sections 80-IA, 80-IB, 10A and 10B of Income-tax Act.

IND AS 12 does not specifically deal with the situations of the tax holiday.

Capital Loss

AS 22 provides guidance regarding recognition of DTA in case of loss under the head of ‘capital gains’

IND AS 12 does not specifically provide for the same.

IFRIC 23

IFRIC 23 also provides for Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments. It requires an entity to treat uncertain tax treatments depending on which method will be best suited for its resolution. The major difference between AS 22 and IFRIC 23 is that IFRIC 23 requires an entity, while determining the current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, to make an assessment whether it is probable that taxation authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment. If it is not probable, then entity should reflect that uncertainty through either expected value approach or most likely approach.

IFRIC 23 will be applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 01.01.2019.

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